Bridgeton pioneer. (Bridgeton, N.J.) 1884-1919, 1887-08-11
PLEASING EXERCISES.
The Beautiful Banner Pre-
sented to the Eagles
Monday Night.

The air was filed with the music of
the band Monday night, and the electric
lights of Commerce street shone bright
ly down upon the gaily equipped mem
bers of Cyrene Commandery No. 5,
marshaled by Grand Chief Jos. Arnold,
with flashing swords, and the long line
of the members of the Bridgeton
Castle of the Knights of the Golden
Eagle as they marched with stately
tread to the Opera House, where the
pleasing exercises of the banner pre-
sentation were witnessed by large
number of our citizens. The parquet
circle had been reserved for the ladies
and the members of the Castle.
On the stage in a semicircle
sat the members of the Banner
Committee. Sir Knights JOS. Gar
wood, John Schenck, John Naglee
and Jos. Arnold. On either end of
the circle sat Sir Knight j. L. Van
Syckle, who presented the lodge with
the banner on behalf of the ladies, and
Sir Knight I. T. Nichols, who on the
part of the Castle received the ban
ner. After the Band had played a
brilliant piece of music, Grand Chief
Arnold announced that 1--WE are here
to witness the ceremonies of the gift
of a banner, from the lady friends
of the Castle. Sir Knight Van Syckle
then arose and in the usual manner
commenced his speech on behalf of
the ladies. When in the older times
he said a man became a Knight
he took an oath to protect the dis
tressed, uphold the right and never do
anything that would bring disgrace
upon his Knighthood. But woman
was his true friend and supporter.
When he went to battle it was the
women who assisted in him in arrang
ing his armor and her prayers went up
in supplication that he might be pro-
tected from harm. He went over the
story of the crusade and showed the
Knightly yalor of those who were
fighting for the right and told how the
women figured in the great contest.
In all the holy rights and just causes
the woman had backed her true
knight. 1t was woman who was last
at the cross of the crucifxion of the
savior and the first at his grave.
The knights of the Golden Eagle
fight moral fight, and fight for the
eternal crown, and the women to-day,
like those of old, are proud of their
knights, and proud of their principles.
The women have, in order to encour-
age the Order, and show the apprecia-
ton and esteem in which they are
held, through me presented this Castle
with this beautiful banner. After
reciting a piece of poetry suitable to
the occasion, he said, Take this BAN
ner, noble Knights, and may it ever
remain as unsullied as the hands that
gave it to you" AS the speaker sat
down he was followed by loud ap-
plause, and Sir Knight Isaac 7. Nichols
arose and received the banner on be-
half of the Castle. He made no at
tempt at oratory, but started off by
saying that over year ago band of
men gathered together and formed
what is now a powerful lodge of over
800 men. He told how the Castle had
been anxious to have banner, but
owing to a lack of funds had not been
able to get it. But all this time, the
ladies, unknown to the lodge, had
been quietly at work, and this hand
some banner was the result of their
endeavors. In receiving this banner
he paid high tribute to the women,
and said the women of Bridgeton were
just as pure, good and virtuous as any
in the world. He told of the cardinal
virtues of the Order, Fidelity, Valor
and Honor. Each were represented
on this most beautiful banner by
an appropriate color. In closing,
he said he hoped the members of Bridge
ton Castle would in the future conduct
themselvesins such a manner as to bring
luster on all, and that in accepting
the banner, the Castle felt that they
owed to the ladies debt of gratitude
which they could never repay.
The banner is a handsome piece of
work from G. A. Hart & Co. 1t is of
crimson silk on one side and blue on
the reverse. On the crimson side are
the words, "Bridgeton Castle, No. 13,
Bridgeton, N. j., X. G. E." A paint
ing in the centre of mounted Knight
in full armor also shows plainly. On
the blue side in gold letters are the
words Presented by lady friends of
Bridgeton Castle No. 13, K. G. E.
Instituted May 81, 1886.
Three cheers were heartily given by
the members of the Castle to the
ladies, and the large crowd passed out